Program Overview

A description of the California Adult Education Program and the Adult Education Office (AEO) staff directory.

Adult Education – State Program

The California Adult Education Program serves state and national interests by providing life-long educational opportunities and support services to all adults. The Adult Education programs address the unique and evolving needs of individuals and communities by providing adults with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively as productive citizens, workers, and family members.

Program Description

The California Education Code (EC) sections 52501, 52502, 52503 and California Code of Regulations, Title 5 Section 10560 allows unified or high school districts to establish separate adult schools. Courses under the following program areas can be funded by state apportionment:

Adult Literacy/High School Diploma

English as a Second Language/Citizenship

Adults with Disabilities

Career Technical Education/Apprenticeships

Parenting, Family, and Consumer Awareness

Older Adults

Jail Programs

The California EC sections 1900 et seq. provide for education to incarcerated adults at county jails in basic education, high school diploma, and English as a second language.

Benefits and Outcomes

Adult education provides lifelong educational opportunities and services to adult learners. These opportunities and services are to address the unique needs of individuals and communities by providing adults with the knowledge and skills necessary to participate effectively as citizens, workers, family members, and consumers of goods and services.

Adult Education – Federal Program

Program Description: The federal Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, enacted as Title II of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, provides federal funding to supplement adult education programs in both public and private non-profit institutions. These funds supplement Adult Basic Education (ABE), English as a Second Language (ESL), and Adult Secondary Education (ASE) programs. The goal of this program is to enable adults to become more employable, productive, and responsible citizens through literacy.